Forum Post: Connect the Dots

“When we finish with Assad, we will fight the U.S.!” Al Qaeda Linked Group Prominent in Syrian Rebellion

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today continued warning colleagues of the threat posed by increasing U.S. support for rebel groups in Syria.

In a letter to fellow Members of Congress Kucinich wrote: "A recent article further demonstrates the abundance of evidence that suspected Al-Qaeda affiliated groups are playing a key role in Syria, including Jabhat al Nusra. According to McClatchy, Jabhat al Nusra and ‘similar groups do the heaviest frontline fighting’ and have ‘proved to be critical to the rebels’ military advance.’ This is the same group that has been behind the suicide bombings and instability in Iraq, and they have now found space to operate in Syria.

"The role of Al-Qaeda linked groups such as Jabhat Al Nusra in the Syrian uprising demonstrates the dangers that could arise if the United States or other countries attempt to intervene militarily. The New York Times recently reported that U.S. supported arms shipment from Qatar to Libyan rebels that ended up in the hands of Islamist militants. We have spent billions of dollars fighting these same groups elsewhere around the world. Why are we empowering them in Syria?" asked Kucinich.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/12/02/176123/al-qaida-linked-group-syria-rebels.html

Earlier this yeas, Washington, Oct 10 -

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today elicited testimony in a Congressional hearing that Al Qaeda is stronger subsequent to the U.S. intervention in Libya. Responding to questions from Kucinich, Lt. Col. Andrew Wood testified that Al Qaeda’s “presence grows every day” and that “they are certainly more established than we are.” Lt. Col. Wood was Commander of the Site Security Team in Libya from February 12 to August 14, 2012.

In response to Rep. Kucinich’s questions about missing shoulder-to-air missiles that were left unsecured in the destruction of the Gaddafi regime, Department of State Regional Security Officer Eric Nordstrom testified that “between ten and twenty thousand” missiles are believed to be missing in Libya. Modern military aircraft possess anti-missile defenses which are able to counter the Libyan missiles, but civilian, passenger jets do not have those defenses, making the jets vulnerable to terrorists.

Congressman Kucinich elicited this testimony while addressing the Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on “The Security Failures of Benghazi.” In his remarks, Congressman Kucinich said, “[W]e owe it to the diplomatic corps which serves our nation, to start at the beginning. The security threats in Libya, including the unchecked extremist groups who are armed to the teeth, exist because our nation spurred on a civil war, destroying the security and stability of the nation.”

“Our military intervention led to greater instability in Libya. Many of us, Democrats and Republicans alike, made that argument to try to stop the war… You would think that after 10 years in Iraq and 11 years in Afghanistan, the United States would have learned the consequences and the limits of interventionism. You would think that after trillions have been wasted on failed attempts at ‘democracy building’ abroad while our infrastructure crumbles at home, Congress and the Administration would reexamine priorities,” said Kucinich.

See Congressman Kucinich’s full statement here. See video from the hearing here.

Congressman Kucinich led Congressional opposition to the war in Libya.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TnoYMMVrJ0&feature=youtu.be

http://kucinich.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=310711